Brontoscorpio

Brontoscorpio was a species of large scorpion from the Silurian period.

Characteristics
Brontoscorpio anglicus is a species of fossil scorpion. Its remains were discovered in Upper Silurian-aged sandstone from Trimpley, Worcestershire, and the species was described on the basis of an incomplete single free finger of a pedipalp, almost 10 centimetres long. The complete animal is estimated to have been at least 90 centimetres long. Its carnivorous diet may have consisted of worms or other arthropods.

Real life
Brontoscorpio was a species of large, presumably aquatic scorpion, which lived sometime during the Late Silurian period. It is believed to have been a carnivore which probably fed on worms, fish and even other arthropods. Brontoscorpio is only known from a single fossilized pedipalp limb found in Trimpley, Worcestershire. It is estimated that Brontoscorpio was at least 90 centimetres (35 inches) long. 'Brontos' is the Ancient Greek for 'thunder', hence the episode title.

Errors
It is unlikely that Brontoscorpio's venom would have been effective against mammals such as humans, as there were no mammals or even reptiles or amphibians in the Silurian; Brontoscorpio's venom would have probably only worked against other arthropods.